Mystic Eyes: My Eyes Steal the Laws of Cultivation

Chapter 151: Opinions

Kyrian closed the door behind him. The servant turned and began walking again, this time through a wider corridor that descended toward the outer side of the fortress.

The air there was colder, marked by the metallic scent of blood energy present throughout the entire structure.

After a few minutes of walking, enormous doors opened into an open courtyard where dozens of cages were arranged in regular rows.

Muffled sounds of heavy breathing and scraping metal filled the air.

The servant walked to the third row, stopping before a large, dark cage.

”This is the best one, I believe it fits what you need. A quick departure.” The servant said while pulling a lever.

The gate rose, revealing the creature fully.

A black horse slowly stepped out of the shadows. Its coat was completely dark, without any shine.

On its back, two large wings opened just enough to reveal their rigid joints. The beast’s gaze was attentive. Not aggressive, but vigilant.

Around its neck was a firm chain, attached to a reinforced ring. The reins were extensions of the same chain, thick and black.

It was a simple and direct method of control.

”Its cultivation, as you can see, is in the Core Formation realm.” The servant explained.

”It’s fast, stable, and easy to control.”

Kyrian approached without hurry. The beast only lifted its head, assessing him. It didn’t move back.

The servant then released the main lock on the chain.

”It’s ready.”

Kyrian ran his hand along the side of the beast’s neck. Its breathing was steady. It seemed to accept his presence.

He grabbed the chain-reins, placed his foot on the improvised side support, and mounted the beast directly. The wings shifted with a light snap.

”Well. Safe travels, young master.” The servant said.

Kyrian only nodded and gently pulled the reins.

The beast responded immediately.

It took two steps back, opened its wings fully, and flapped them once, lifting dust and cold air.

Another beat of the wings made the ground shake slightly.

Kyrian adjusted his posture.

”Let’s go.”

The creature leapt toward the edge of the open courtyard and, with another heavy wing beat, lifted into the air quickly and directly.

The wind cut against Kyrian’s face as he glanced at the mark on his hand. The direction was clear.

He leaned forward, guiding the beast along the exact line dictated by the mark.

The fortress was left behind in seconds, and the sky opened wide before them.

Kyrian departed without looking back.

***************

At the exact moment Kyrian left...

Dong Zhen remained still at the top of the fortress as the winged mount disappeared as a black dot in the sky.

The cold wind circulating up high made his robe ripple lightly, but his gaze did not shift from the direction Kyrian had taken.

”What do you think? Will he flee? Or return? What are your opinions?” Dong Zhen asked, without raising his voice.

The answer came a few seconds later.

Three hooded figures emerged behind him, as if they had always been there, simply waiting for the right moment to reveal themselves.

The red garments concealed their appearances, except for their rigid postures and the weight of the presence each one carried. Only Dong Zhen himself surpassed them.

The one on the left was the first to speak.

”He will return. Lord Dong Zhen never chooses wrong. If you placed him under your supervision, then there is no doubt. No matter where the boy goes, he will return before the tournament.” He said in a firm voice.

The second one, in the center, let out a low sound, almost a contained laugh.

”I disagree. The boy barely arrived at the fortress. He has no roots. No bonds.” He said.

”That kind of cultivator may simply not come back. Talent and potential do not mean loyalty. I see no reason to be so certain of his return.”

The third remained silent for a few seconds before speaking.

”I have no formed opinion about him.” His voice was neutral.

”From what we’ve seen, he is difficult to predict. We don’t know his character, nor his objectives. So I ask... what do you truly think of him?”

The three turned their gazes toward Dong Zhen.

Dong Zhen continued observing the empty horizon for a few moments before responding.

”Kyrian will not flee.” He stated.

The sentence came without hesitation.

”I clearly feel his thirst for strength. He did not come here against his own will, he accepted because it was the best option. He also does not fear me nor fear being here. On the contrary.” Dong Zhen continued.

”I believe that, to him, being in the Blood Court is only another step. Another path to advance.”

The three listened in absolute silence.

”And someone like that does not waste a chance like the one I gave.” Dong Zhen finished.

”He will return because he knows he needs to grow. He knows he needs to evolve. That is also why I gave him freedom. Fleeing is not something that crosses the mind of someone with that look.”

As they listened, the third hooded figure tilted his head slightly, as if agreeing.

The second remained quiet, offering no rebuttal. The first only crossed his arms.

Dong Zhen then turned slowly and began walking back toward the interior of the fortress.

”He will return.” He repeated.

”And when he does, I want everything ready for the next stages.”

The three figures then disappeared just as silently as they had appeared.

...

Kyrian advanced through the open sky, seated firmly on the back of the winged creature.

The beast flew high. Not as high as Dong Zhen, but higher than the sect’s eagles he had flown on long ago.

It was possible to see some similar beasts far below, like white dots moving between the clouds.

It seemed that in this region, the presence of fierce beasts was several times greater. Just as the Qi density was higher than in the Verdant Sword domain.

The wind no longer bothered Kyrian. His eyes were fixed on the mark on his hand. The direction there, pulsing at regular intervals.

A clear and direct indication.

He mentally calculated the route.

”I believe it’s approximately two days away...” he murmured.

If he maintained the beast’s speed and faced no interruptions, he would reach the point indicated by the natural formation mark before the end of the second day.

Then he would resolve whatever was necessary and return immediately.

Two more days of flight to return.

That meant four days in total. The tournament would begin after that. There was plenty of time.